HAir removal has come a long way since the days of harsh creams, downright scary buzzing epilators and razors that should come with a health and safety warning. Maybe you’re still a fan of the old-fashioned hair removal methods (you masochist), but for those of us looking for a way of hair removal that requires no pain, anxiety and almost daily maintenance, let us introduce you to the world of IPL – technology with intense pulsed light.
IPL is not new. IPL hair removal has been available in clinics and salons for years, and there have been several versions of at-home IPL devices that promise to flush body hair. But they’ve always been a bit rubbish. Expensive, time consuming and prone to missing patches. Now, However, a new range of at-home hair removal gadgets have hit the market and they’re quite brilliant.
But first, an IPL refresher. The treatment is exactly what the acronym suggests: intense pulsed light. Used to treat various skin problems, strong bursts of light are aimed at a target area – so far, so Star Wars — in this case with the pigment in the hair. Upon impact, a blast of heat is released that kills (or at least damages) the cells that make hair grow.
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So it’s a laser? Not so fast. IPL is often misunderstood as laser hair removal, but there is an important difference. IPL uses multiple wavelengths instead of the single beam of a laser. The general thinking is that laser requires fewer sessions and has longer lasting results, while the benefits of IPL include less chance of damage to the skin. Plus, crucially, there are affordable at-home options that are still effective.
If you’ve ever had machine hair removal, you’ll be all too aware that there are a lot of rules to follow. A total bore, for sure, but also necessary if you want to prevent rapid regrowth, scars, burns and hyperpigmentation. Here we present a handy list of things you need to know before you mow (sorry!).
Typically, IPL hair removal is best suited for people with light to medium skin types and dark hair. Light brown hair can also be blasted with the right device. Not sure if you are a suitable candidate? The professionals say that for the best results, there should be a clear difference between the color of your hair and your skin. That’s why most experts won’t use an IPL device on black skin or on people with very blonde or red hair.
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Tanning is a no-no. Whether it’s a real tan or a fake glow, an altered skin tone will affect the results. The light is looking for a dark pigment and you don’t want your tan to be mistaken for the hair you are trying to destroy.
Be patient. IPL is not a one-hit wonder. Repeated treatments are necessary because your hairs grow and fall out at different rates. To catch them all (and remove them permanently) you have to go through several cycles. Every four weeks is the usual time frame.
The new range of IPL home hair removal devices are convenient, cost-effective and deliver impressive results. Look, the best in the business.
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 series
Best for on the go
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series, £489.99
In the unlikely event that the desire to prune happens to you along the way, this handy package has you covered (or uncovered, if you prefer). Yes, it looks like a Laser Quest gun, but unlike most IPL equipment, it doesn’t need to be plugged in. The portable machine has enough charge to zap hair on multiple body parts in one session.
A ‘smart skin sensor’ ensures that the light only shines upon contact with your skin, thus preventing any glare. There’s even a Bluetooth feature that links to your phone so you can keep track of your laser schedule (which parts of the body you did and when), plus tips and instructions for optimal use.
Our tester reported a “marked decrease” in hair growth after using this every two weeks for a few months. They were particularly pleased that they didn’t have to wear goggles (often an IPL requirement), said it was virtually pain-free “even on the highest setting” and rated the ease with which it fit into their care routine.
Notable mention must go to the additional equipment: separate compartments conveniently separate the four separate attachments for face and body, there is an electric shaver (oddly, a shave before the treatment improves the results, as the light beam can concentrate on the hair root ) and it is deceptively quiet . Stealth shaving.
Best for full body hair removal
Foreo Peach 2, £369
Aesthetically pleasing, yes, but the elegant ergonomics aren’t just for show. The flexible head and silicone-like material allow light work of hard-to-reach spots and flow with the contours of your body to access areas like the backs of your legs or, er, your nether regions (no judgment here) for a seamless and flawless hair removal.
It is also a powerful beast. With up to 120 IPL flashes per minute, even large surfaces are covered quickly. Our tester boasted that they could easily get through a full-body session in just 20 minutes.
The built-in fan is the star of the show, helping to cool the skin as it glides and wipes away the associated sting. Apply the Foreo Peach Cooling Prep Gel, €32.90, to the skin for even easier epilation.
Five intensity settings, including a high-precision mode for the face, are suitable for all sensitive areas – and weak sensitivities.
After eight uses over a three-month period, our tester reported significantly less hair growth and noted how pain-free and easy to use it was.
Braun IPL Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5347
Best for different skin tones
Braun IPL Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5347, £759.99
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Braun’s beauty gadget, and it’s even been TikTok-approved (praise indeed), with over 30 million views.
Why the buzz? The technical features are impressive: 125 light bursts per minute ensure record removal speeds, both legs in less than five minutes, said our tester. The brand also claims that there is a lifetime guarantee of 400,000 flashes, or 20 years of salon-quality hair removal. But it’s the skin sensor technology that really sets the sleek, white and gold device apart. Hair and skin color are scanned before it self-selects the most appropriate setting to ensure safety and efficacy. Smart.
The most common description of the sensation of IPL is that it is like being pinged with an elastic band and that this device causes a strange sting. Additionally, our tester reported feeling like they had a sunburn an hour after use.
Sore legs aside, there’s a reason why TikTok has declared this “a game-changer”: it works. Designed to be used weekly for 4-12 weeks (and thereafter as needed). Our tester only needed four rounds of use to report hair was shorter, finer and less noticeable. There’s even a precision head to reach more complicated areas like the bikini line and upper lip.
Bondi Body V2 Laser @ Home
Best for sensitive skin
Bondi Body V2 Laser @ Home, £299.00
Cute isn’t usually something we associate with hair removal, but one tester compared this to a mini ‘Eve’ from WALL-E‘And now we can’t undo it. We digress.
Animated sci-fi aside, there’s some serious science at play here. Namely the 300,000 flashes (that’s 10 years of regular use) and the eight intensity settings that respond to different skin sensitivities. There is a not entirely unpleasant heat when used, but even when passed over the face it is not painful.
The black sunglasses in Ray-Ban style detract from the otherwise sleek product offering. But it’s probably more important to protect your eyes from the overwhelming brightness of the flashes than to look photogenic during hair removal.
The results are fast. The instructions say this can be used twice a week (more than other IPL devices), so perhaps that explains the fact that the hair looked thinner and thinner after just three weeks. Since this is on the cheaper end of the hair removal spectrum, the almost instantaneous lack of prickly regrowth is nothing to sneeze at.
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